It’s been about a week since owning the Fujifilm X-Pro1 and if I had to describe the camera in one word, it would probably be “wow”. Day one of shooting was a little weird. I was so excited to have the camera in my hands so I’m sure I was bias about how it handled so everything just felt amazing.
Day two, I started to get concerned about the “quirks” that people have been posting on forums. Day three I realized these aren’t quirks, these are just characteristics of the camera, like any other camera may have.
I’ve been reading a lot about people complaining about the AF on the camera. I have to say, it’s all just BS. I have a single lamp in my room and can focus on pretty much anything. Is it slower than some of it’s possible competitors? Yes, but you knew that already. On the flip side, is the quality of images from other possible competitors better? Nope. But I guess some people care more about AF speed than IQ.
Also, getting things sharp and in focus at f/1.4 is ridiculously easy where I’ve had trouble in the past with a 5dII and 35L/50L. It’s SPOT on.
High ISO quality on this camera is ba.na.nas. Not only does the noise level remain low, but any noise that is present has a film like grain to it (just make sure the camera jpeg engine isn’t applying any NR).
My only complaint and this has nothing to do with the camera, is the lack of support for RAW files. I am SO excited to view my RAW files because if the jpegs are this good, we’re in for a treat.
Oh I lied, I do have a camera complaint. The moving aperture blades that causes chatter in changing light. Yes, I know it’s normal, but it’s striking how loud it can be. Out and about, it’s a non-issue. Indoors with family (or when I take this to wedding gigs), it’s loud and can get annoying. One can argue the shutter of a dslr is loader, but that’s expected when a photographer is around. Aperture chatter, kinda weird and not normal to most people.
All said and done it’s results that I’m more worried and interested about. This fucking camera can perform. The files are simply gorgeous and not only are they amazingly good sooc, they look even better post processed.
Here are some shots I’ve taken with the 35mm lens. It’s a pretty random selection as I’ve not gone out to a focused shoot, but hopefully you can see the potential this camera has as being a professional tool.
























Nice. Got mine last Friday, the 35mm is indeed sharp!
The lens chatter can be “stopped” by not using the EVF or the LCD (switch to OVF, disable the LCD). Other option is to assign the Fn button to DOF Preview, and click on it (chatter will resume next time you press the shutter).
Hi, great review, thanks! Did you apply some “post-processing-grain” to your b/w-images? Especially this image:http://www.mikee.nu/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/xpro1_12.jpg looks very noisy, while EXIF says ISO200!?
vr,
Ole
Don’t worry! I did add grain lol… I have a specific routine for my b&w’s which include grain for texture
Credit were it is due: the lens blades chatter is gone with firmware update 1.01 that came after this article was posted.
(and when I saw the picture of the dog, I thought for a second it was my dog
)
Cheers !
True that
I will edit